Elyria High School on lockdown during search for armed robbery suspect

ELYRIA — Elyria High and St. Mary’s School were advised to conduct an external lockdown by the Elyria Police Department Thursday while officers searched for a suspected armed robber.
Officers responded to Nooks, 506 Middle Ave., and were advised by a store clerk that a Hispanic male wearing a dark colored, heavy jacket and blue jeans had robbed the store.
While the clerk tended to a customer, the suspect walked around the store looking at merchandise until the customer left, according to a report.
Once the customer exited the store, the suspect placed a white stocking cap over his face and brandished a silver handgun, demanding the clerk to “give him the cash,” the clerk said.
The clerk gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash, and the suspect fled on foot.
Capt. Chris Costantino said due to the store’s close proximity to the schools — and the fact that the armed gunman remained at large — the schools were advised to lock down to prevent anyone from exiting or entering the school.
“The timing was close to both school’s dismissals,” Costantino said. “Plus we were trying to run a K-9 through the area also to pick up a scent.”
The lockdown lasted about 20 minutes, and once officers determined the area was safe they gave the all clear to open back up, according to Costantino.
“The kids did well, and so did the schools,” Costantino said. “Everything went according to plan how they practice and they did a good job.”
Acting on a tip, detectives arrested Wesley Hance-Hill, 28, who was positively identified by the store clerk through a photo lineup, the report stated.
Detectives located Hance-Hill at 602 East Ave., where he was taken into custody without incident.
According to Amy Higgins, director of communications and public affairs for Elyria Schools, the high school was contacted by officers about 2 p.m. and advised to lock down the facility.
“It did not happen on school grounds, or relate to the school in any way,” Higgins said. “It was a neighborhood situation.”
Higgins said during the lockdown students were not allowed to leave or enter the building, but school functions continued as normal, and that the lockdown was a precautionary measure to ensure student safety.
“The Elyria Police Department works very closely us, and whenever there is a situation in the neighborhood that is near one of our schools they contact the school and inform them if there is a need to lock down,” Higgins said.
Hance-Hill was charged with aggravated robbery — a first-degree felony, as well as tampering with evidence and having weapons under disability — both third-degree felonies.
He was transported to the Lorain County Jail where he is being held with no bond until his Elyria Municipal Court appearance at 10 a.m. Friday.